Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-09-01

is made on Mr.. Kelly's bondsmen.
About year ago, Frank entered the bank.
There were twenty five or more spplic atoms
for the position but Frank secured it 90 ac'
count of his acquaintance with Mr. Kelly.
lie is said to have been one of the most
capable bank clerks of his age in the State.
Bark Examiner Richards went to Saco to-
day and is now examining into the condition,
Of the bank.
FARhINGroN, Aug. 81.
The loss met with by the Saco & Bidde-
ford Savings Institution, reported by Asso-
ciated Press this afternoon, created quite a
sensation here and nothing else has been
talked of in the stores, hotels and public
places this evening"
Hon. F. E. Richards of Camden, State
bank examiner, who has been on tour of
examination in this section, was met by an
Associated Press reporter today at the Stod
dard house. and in response to enquiry he
learned the following facts:
The examiner said the first he knew ef the
defalcation was what ne had just read in the
Lewiston Journal. He had had no direct ad-
vices from the officers of the bank for they
didn't know his whereabouts. He had, how
ever, telegraphed to President Goodale that
he would be in Saco tomorrow noon.
The examiner says if the statement given
in the Journal as to the amount stolen from
the safe by the clerk while the treasurer was
absent one half day. is absolutely true, the
bank will still be able to pay all depositors
and creditors and then have surplus of
about 100000.
The Journal's statement regarding the
banks surplus, the examiner says, is incor-
rect
The correct figures are S563, sol pa, as
given after his last examination of the bank
on March 10th last.
Of the amount stolen by McNeely, the ex-
aminer says $lS0,000 are in United States
registered bonds, and they will be of no value
TO the robber.
The bank now, said he further, even if it
failed to recover any portion Of the amount
stolen, can pay its depositors one hundred
and twenty cents on the dollar. All this, you
understand, is on the proviso that the amount
given in the Journal is correct.
Speaking of Treasurer Kelley's manner of
keeping the books and accounts of the
bank, the examiner said be had always found
them models of neatness and accuracy. He
said further that he had never had any rea-
son to suppose that the clerk had been taught
the combination of the safe. When he went
viously of his coming, this being his invaria-
BILE custom when about to make examinations,
and Treasurer Kelly was not about the prem
ises, the clerk McNeely being in sole charge
Then, on Mr.. Richards making known his
business, McNeely offered to go out and find
the treasurer, remarking that otherwise he,
Richards, would have to wait until Mr.. Kel-
lys return in order to obtain access to the
bonds and securities, which were locked in
the safe.
On Kelly's return the examiner took the
bonds from the safe and counted them care
fully, and they were found to conform in
every uetdll WIFI tIe w )hS VI Tie Uduhs
In concluding the interview Examiner
Richards said that as at present informed the
| only criticism that could be made of the con-
duct of the officers of the bank is in their
of the bank in subordinate position for only
one year, to have knowledge of the COM
bination of the locks of the safe.
Examiner Richards was seen again at nine
o'clock this evening, and asked if anything
new had been heard by him concerning the
robbery.
He replied that he had just received dis
patch from President Goodale announcing
the loss to his bank substantially as printed
in the afternoon papers.
Mr.. Richards replied to it saying that he
would be in Saco tomorrow afternoon. He
is not disposed to say more concerning the
robbery until he has made careful and crit
ical examination of the securities, etc., in the
banks safe, which he will proceed to do i'm
mediately OIL his arrival in Saco.
Some think McNeelly committed the deed
while temporarily deranged. They say he
has been acting queerly and that he com.
planned of head trouble.
} Treasurer Kelly believes the robbery was
premeditated. When Kelly left the bank the
inner vault was locked. No one but the
treasurer and president was supposed to
know how to open the safe. McNeelly must
have studied the combination when the vault
was open some time during the tressurer's
absence. He had been living beyond bis
means ever since he worked in the bank. lie
wore fne clothes, often had livery stable
teams. He always had plenty of spending
money. Some bills were left unpaid with
sundry amounts borrowed from friends A
few days ago when talking with friend
about future plans he said he expected to be
thousands Of miles from here His mother
is completely prostrated by the shock.